Chapter 121: Here’s My Offer.

Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Here’s My Offer.

Chapter 121: Here’s My Offer.

He had encountered plenty of people who appeared harmless until they decided to show their true abilities, and he had no intention of underestimating someone simply because she stood quietly beside her employer.

Albert noticed Osborne’s attention shifting toward his bodyguard, but rather than appearing concerned, he seemed amused by the reaction.

"If you’re willing to put it to the test, please, go right ahead." Albert didn’t look worried in the least.

The young man leaned back comfortably, his fox-like eyes narrowing slightly as he observed Osborne, seemingly curious about how he would respond to the challenge.

The armored woman remained completely still, making no effort to defend herself or respond to her employer’s words, although Osborne couldn’t shake the feeling that she was paying attention to every movement he made.

’This guy really doesn’t care about provoking people, does he?’

Osborne resisted the urge to sneer.

He had come here because he wanted to understand why someone had taken an interest in the Moonlight Grass he sold earlier that day, not because he wanted to get involved in a pointless contest against an unknown bodyguard.

Even if he could defeat her, which he wasn’t confident enough to assume without his full abilities, there was little to gain from doing so.

At best, he would prove that he could fight, and at worst, he would create unnecessary trouble for himself.

Making a wealthy merchant an enemy in his current situation wasn’t very bright.

He had already made enough mistakes by drawing attention to himself, and deliberately creating another one would be foolish.

"I’m not in the mood to waste time on such energy-draining activities."

Albert’s expression didn’t change, although the faint smile on his face suggested that he had expected such an answer.

"Oh? Then can we proceed with business? I’m a very busy man, Mr. Dokebai. You must know that I had to interrupt my scheduled sleep just to meet you, and I hope you won’t make light of my efforts."

’Cocky much...’

Osborne held back an annoyed sneer as he listened to the young man’s words, finding it difficult to believe that Albert had the nerve to complain about losing sleep when he was the one who had arranged for someone to stalk him.

The man had apparently been sleeping comfortably in his mansion when he decided that a meeting with an unknown adventurer was worth interrupting his rest, yet he now spoke as though Osborne should feel grateful for being given the opportunity to stand in his hall.

It was a rather amusing attitude, although Osborne had no intention of showing how much it irritated him.

Well, he wasn’t really here to fight to begin with.

He had already learned that the young man was interested in the Moonlight Grass, and that was enough to give him an idea of what their conversation would be about.

If Albert wanted to purchase the herbs, then they could discuss the price, and if he wanted something else, Osborne would simply decide whether the offer was worth considering.

There was no need to waste time exchanging insults or allowing the man’s attitude to drag him into a pointless argument.

"What’s your offer?"

Albert’s expression brightened slightly, as though he had been waiting for Osborne to ask that very question.

"I want the location of your Moonlight Grass. I’ll buy them all at above the market price, of course. Their value is worthy, after all."

Osborne’s eyes narrowed slightly beneath his helmet.

’The location?’

He had expected Albert to ask about purchasing the herbs, but the young man’s choice of words suggested that he wanted more than the handfuls Osborne had already collected.

The field in the forest was covered in Moonlight Grass, and although Osborne had only taken a portion of it, the quantity he had gathered was more than enough to earn him a respectable amount of money.

If Albert wanted to purchase everything he possessed, that was one matter, but asking for the location where the herbs grew was an entirely different request.

There was no guarantee that the young man would stop at buying the grass once he knew where to find it, and Osborne had no intention of handing over information that could allow a stranger to interfere with one of his future sources of income.

After all, Moonlight Grass was a rare herb, and a field containing such a large quantity could be worth far more than the handfuls he had sold earlier.

If he sold Albert the location without considering the long-term benefits, he might end up regretting it later.

"Ten silver a piece. What say you?"

Albert looked at him in silence.

---

"I think I have a better idea." Osborne spoke up, taking a step forward.

The azure knight stepped forward as well, her armored boots making a faint sound against the polished floor as she moved to stand between Osborne and her employer.

Although she hadn’t drawn her weapon, her sudden movement was enough to make it clear that she wouldn’t hesitate to intervene if she believed Osborne posed a threat to Albert.

Osborne glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the young man sitting on the couch.

"Oh? Do tell." Albert raised a hand to stop his bodyguard, gesturing for Osborne to go ahead.

The azure knight immediately stopped moving, although she remained between the two men, her helmet facing Osborne as if she were waiting for him to make a mistake.

Albert, on the other hand, appeared rather interested in hearing what his guest had to say, his fox-like eyes narrowing slightly as he leaned back against the couch.

Osborne took another step forward, stopping at a reasonable distance from the young man before beginning to explain his proposal.

"You’ll be given the opportunity to purchase from me first whenever I come in with new batches. I’m sure you must know that such herbs can’t easily be found everywhere, which is why I’m afraid I have to refuse your earlier proposal."

He paused briefly, allowing his words to sink in before continuing.

"Also... I’ll sell them to you at slightly above the market price, at seven silver a piece."

Albert stared at him for a moment, apparently considering the offer, while the azure knight remained silent beside him.